You've just got a dog in Zurich — or you're about to — and you're wondering what you actually need to register, where, and by when. AMICUS, dog tax, Hundekontrolle, mandatory courses... it can feel like a lot at once. This article walks you through every registration step in Canton Zurich, in order, so nothing slips through the cracks.
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As a new dog owner in Canton Zurich, you have three main registration steps:
- AMICUS — the national dog database, mandatory for all dogs over 3 months old
- Dog tax — registration with your municipality
- Course obligations — theory and practical course, depending on your situation
Two things you should already have in place before or at handover: a microchip (legally required for all dogs) and third-party liability insurance (mandatory in Canton Zurich, minimum cover CHF 1,000,000).
Step 1 — AMICUS: Registering Your Dog in the Database
What is AMICUS?
AMICUS is Switzerland's national dog database. Every dog over 3 months old must be registered there — and as a new owner, you must be recorded in AMICUS within 10 days of taking over the dog.
How does registration work?
It depends on where your dog comes from:
Dog from a Swiss breeder or previous owner (already in AMICUS)
The dog is already in the database. You take over ownership in AMICUS using your own Personen-ID. To get this, you first go to your municipality (Wohngemeinde) — they create the person record and issue you a Personen-ID and password. You can then transfer the dog to your name online at amicus.ch.
Dog imported from abroad (not yet in AMICUS)
Imported dogs are not yet in the Swiss database. A veterinarian must register the dog in AMICUS first, before you can take over as the recorded holder. Contact a vet and check amicus.ch directly for the current process — the exact steps can change, and the authoritative workflow is on the AMICUS website.
Puppy that has never been registered
Again, a vet handles the initial registration in AMICUS. The microchip (mandatory for all dogs) is placed or verified at the same time.
For the full AMICUS workflow — how to apply for a Personen-ID, step-by-step process, common mistakes — see our detailed article: AMICUS dog registration Zurich.
Step 2 — Dog Tax: Registering with Your Municipality
After AMICUS registration, you register your dog with your municipality. This triggers the dog tax (Hundesteuer).
How does the dog tax work in Canton Zurich?
The dog tax has two components:
- A cantonal portion (the same across all Canton Zurich municipalities)
- A municipal top-up that varies by municipality
For the exact amount, contact your municipality directly. In the City of Zurich, the Stadtpolizei is responsible for dog registration and the dog tax.
For amounts, payment deadlines, and exemptions, see our article on the dog tax in Zurich.
Step 3 — Hundekontrolle: What Is It and Do You Need to Do Anything?
"Hundekontrolle" sounds like an inspection — it isn't. It's the administrative office within your municipality (or the Stadtpolizei in the City of Zurich) that handles dog registration. It's not a separate procedure; it's simply the contact point for Step 2.
You don't need to apply for anything extra. When you register your dog with the municipality, it goes through the Hundekontrolle automatically.
What Comes After Registration? Your Course Obligations
Registration doesn't complete your legal obligations. The revised dog law of 1 June 2025 requires new dog owners in Canton Zurich to complete mandatory training.
Theory course
The theory course is required only for first-time owners and anyone who has not kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years.
If this applies to you:
- Deadline: Within 2 months of acquiring the dog
- Submit confirmation: Written confirmation of course completion goes to your municipality — deadline: 3 months after acquisition
- You can take the course up to 1 year before acquiring the dog
Full details on course options and providers: Dog theory course Zurich.
Practical course
Mandatory for new dog owners in Canton Zurich as a general rule. Exemptions apply in certain cases — including dogs over 10 years old at acquisition, transfers from a spouse or life partner (dog in shared household for at least 6 months), licensed dog trainers, persons moving from another canton who have already completed an equivalent practical course (subject to Veterinäramt confirmation), shelter dogs registered in AMICUS (except dogs imported from abroad for placement), assistance dogs from IV-recognized schools, and other specific cases.
If you need to complete the practical course:
- Structure: At least 6 lessons of 60 minutes each, with at least one week between lessons. If learning goals are not yet met at the end, additional lessons are required.
- Deadline: Within 12 months of acquiring the dog
- Earliest start: When your dog is 6 months old
- Trainer: Must hold a Bewilligung issued by the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich
The full overview of both courses: Mandatory dog course Zurich.
Checklist: Registering Your Dog in Zurich
All obligations at a glance:
| Step | What | Deadline | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ Microchip | Have dog microchipped | Before or at handover | Veterinarian |
| ✅ Liability insurance | Take out insurance (min. CHF 1,000,000) | Before or at handover | Insurer of your choice |
| ✅ AMICUS | Register dog / transfer ownership | 10 days after acquisition | amicus.ch (via vet + municipality if needed) |
| ✅ Municipality | Dog registration + dog tax | Alongside AMICUS | Municipality / Stadtpolizei |
| ✅ Theory course | Complete course (if first-time owner) | 2 months after acquisition | Authorised provider |
| ✅ Submit confirmation | Send theory certificate to municipality | 3 months after acquisition | Your municipality |
| ✅ Practical course | 6×60 min, min. 1 week apart | 12 months after acquisition | Authorised trainer |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register with the canton as well as the municipality?
No. You register your dog in AMICUS (the national database) and with your municipality. There is no separate cantonal registration step.
What happens if I miss the 10-day AMICUS deadline?
The deadline is set by law. Missing it can result in a fine. Register as soon as possible after taking over the dog — ideally on the day itself.
I'm moving to Zurich from another Swiss canton. Do I have to start from scratch?
AMICUS is national — you don't re-register the dog, but you update the address. You do need to register with your new municipality. For the practical course: if you already completed an equivalent course in your previous canton, the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich may exempt you — but this is not automatic and requires confirmation from the Veterinäramt.
Does the new dog law apply to dogs I already had before June 2025?
The new course and registration obligations apply to dogs kept in Canton Zurich from 1 June 2025 onward. Transitional rules apply for dogs already in the canton before that date — contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt if you're unsure.
My dog is a specific breed. Are there additional requirements?
Yes. Canton Zurich maintains a list of banned breeds (Rassetypenliste). The list is explicitly described as non-exhaustive. Mixed-breed dogs with at least 10% bloodline from a banned breed are also affected. Check the current list at the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich. Rottweilers have been banned since 1 January 2025; the permit deadline has passed.
Conclusion
Registering a dog in Zurich means: AMICUS within 10 days, municipality registration at the same time, and then — depending on your situation — theory and practical courses. The deadlines are tight, but once you know them, there are no surprises.
Not sure exactly which courses apply to you? The quiz gives you a clear answer in under 3 minutes.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legally binding advice. For binding information, please contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich.
